County wants answers from FEMA, NRC

(08/05/03) WHITE PLAINS - The Westchester county executive is demanding answers from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) about their decision to certify the Indian Point evacuation plan.

Count Executive Andy Spano wants FEMA to hand over documents that justify its decision to certify the plan. Less than two weeks ago FEMA and the NRC approved the evacuation plan despite the fact that the surrounding counties including Westchester refused to sign off on the plan.

Spano says back in February FEMA claimed it did not have reasonable assurance the evacuation plan would work. So, Spano wants to know what made FEMA change its mind.

A spokesperson for Entergy, the company that owns Indian Point, says it's hypocritical for the county executive to refuse to cooperate with FEMA and then turn around and accuse FEMA of not cooperating with him.

The emergency plan has been under fire ever since the September 11th terror attacks started fueling fears that the plants could be targets.

Spano says that he's working with Rockland County officials to possibly file a lawsuit against FEMA.